According to some new, obviously very valid and wholly scientific research, many gamers are lunatics, unable to tell the difference between video games and the real world.
It’s all down to something they call Game Transfer Phenomena, which sees regular gamers trying to do videogamey things in real life after they’ve stopped playing. In more extreme cases, people have reported things like seeing conversation menus during a real life chats, people with health boxes above their heads and people trying to use game functions in real life.
“We believe this is the first study to attempt to explore game transfer phenomena, and these initial findings have proved extremely interesting,†said Professor Mark Griffiths, one of the people responsible for the study. “Almost all the players reported some type of GTP, but in different ways and with varying degrees of intensity. We are now following this up with a further study of a much larger number of gamers.â€
“A recurring trend suggests that intensive gaming may lead to negative psychological, emotional or behavioural consequences, with enormous implications for software developers, parents, policy makers and mental health professionals.”
The study’s obviously very conclusive because of the large slice of the gaming population that was included in the research – 42. Yup, a whole 42 people participated – gamers between the ages of 15 and 21. Something tells me a bunch of researches just got trolled by a group of young adult gamers. Still, I’ve always wondered how life would be if it included working save and reload functions. I’d certainly have seen a lot more boobs growing up…
According to news.com.au , the study is to be published in the next issue of the International Journal of Cyber Behaviour, Psychology and Learning.
Last Updated: September 21, 2011
